How much tax will SARS refund you?
If your employer deducted more PAYE than you actually owed for the year, SARS pays the difference back. Fill in the numbers from your payslip or IRP5 and we'll estimate your refund — free, no sign-up needed.
Estimated refund
R8 603
This is what SARS could pay back to you.
What usually creates a refund
- Retirement annuity contributions — You can deduct up to 27.5% of your income (max R350 000 a year). Employers often don't account for private RAs, so this is the most common refund.
- Medical aid you pay yourself — Monthly tax credits for you and your dependants, plus extra relief for large out-of-pocket medical costs.
- You didn't work the full year — Started a new job, studied, or were between jobs? PAYE is calculated as if you earn that salary all 12 months.
- Travel or home-office claims — If you receive a travel allowance and keep a logbook, or work mainly from a dedicated home office.
Don't leave your refund with SARS
An estimate is one thing — actually claiming it is another. AfriTax Employed puts a registered tax practitioner on your return for R89/month.
- Your ITR12 filed correctly and on time
- Every deduction you qualify for, claimed
- Auto-assessment checked before you accept it
- SARS letters and queries handled for you
Common questions
How do I know if SARS owes me a refund?
A refund arises when the PAYE your employer paid over during the year is more than your final assessed tax. That usually happens if you contributed to a retirement annuity, paid medical aid yourself, changed jobs, or worked only part of the year. The calculator above gives a quick estimate.
How long does a SARS refund take to pay out?
Where your banking details are verified and no audit is raised, SARS normally pays within about 72 hours of the assessment. A verification request can push it out by 21 business days or longer.
Why was my refund less than expected?
SARS first sets any refund off against older debt, admin penalties or interest on your account. Outstanding returns from previous years also block payment until they are filed.
Is this refund estimate accurate?
It is a good guide based on the current SARS tables, but your assessment depends on every IRP5 and certificate on your profile. A registered practitioner checking your full profile gives the exact figure.
Do I need to file to get my refund?
Yes. SARS will not pay a refund for deductions you never claimed, so the return has to be submitted — even if you were auto-assessed.
Other free tools
Estimates use the 2026/27 SARS tax tables, rebates and medical scheme fees tax credits, and assume you were employed for the full tax year with a single employer. This is an estimate, not tax advice — your final assessment comes from SARS.